Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis and Detection

Ovarian cancer diagnosis is done when the General Physician observes any abnormal signs and symptoms in a woman. Ovarian cancer detection should be done at an early stage, so that rate of survival rises, and the cancer does not spread to various parts of the body. A very typical method of diagnosing this cancer is done by a vaginal or internal evaluation of the ovaries and the womb. This also involves a very basic blood test.

Ovarian cancer diagnosis can be done with the help of the following tests. These tests are conducted in the hospital or the doctors' private clinic. A gynecologist conducts these tests.

Blood test

CA125 is the chemical for which the blood is tested to diagnose ovarian cancer. This is a chemical which is present in the blood as it is secreted by the cells which form the ovarian cancer. If there is an increased amount of this chemical found in the blood, it clearly means that the patient is suffering from ovarian cancer.

Colonoscopy

This is a test which the doctor conducts to check if the patient is not suffering from a bowel disorder. The symptoms are similar to bowel/colon cancer, and so this is a test which is conducted to eliminate the chances of either of the cancer. A tube is used which has a camera and light at the tip of it. This is inserted in the stomach, and the large bowel is tested.

Ultrasound

The image of your ovaries is produced with the help of the high beams which the ultrasound machine generates. There are two types of ultrasound tests which a woman can go through: a) A trans-vaginal ultrasound; where in the ultrasound probe in injected into the vagina, and b) An external ultrasound; where in the probe of the ultra sound is inserted next to the stomach for diagnosing the cancer. The image which is formed after these tests are conducted shows the size and texture of your ovaries, as well as any cysts that may be present.

Further tests

If the first two tests which are mentioned above, diagnose the ovarian cancer, then you need to take up the following tests for the doctor to be sure and also for correct treatment being given to the patient. These tests will also diagnose the spread, stage, and the size of the cancer present in the body.

These are the other tests for ovarian cancer detection: -

Laparoscopy - This is a small surgery which the gynecologist performs to have a deeper and closer look at the ovaries. This is the way by which the exact picture will be seen. This is performed if the doctor suspects that the cancer has gone beyond stage 2. In order to evaluate the ovaries, a small cut is made on the abdomen, and a tube which has a camera attached at the end is inserted in that slit. This small camera is called as a laparoscope. A small sample of the tissue may be taken from your ovaries for testing. This process is more commonly called as a biopsy.

Chest X-ray - This x-ray is done so that the doctor can diagnose if the cancer has spread to the lungs. This helps to check if there is any build-up of fluid around the lungs; this is known as pleural effusion.

Abdominal fluid aspiration - This is a test which is conducted if the doctor observes any type of swelling in the abdominal region, or if there is any sort of a liquid which has built up in the lining of the abdomen. This means that the cancer has spread to the abdomen. To make this a surety, the doctor inserts a medical pin or a needle in the abdomen, and the fluid which is on the needle is tested for cancerous cells.

CT scan or MRI scans - This is a scan which clicks photos of the organs which the doctor suspects the cancer may have spread to. These organs may be the abdomen and pelvis, or pancreas.

Ovarian cancer diagnosis is necessary in the early stage because this is a cancer which does not show a lot of warning signs. This cancer needs to be self detected, or if there are any sorts of changes in the body, then one should see a doctor without any delay.

This is a cancer which can be fatal if left untreated or detected in stage 3 or stage 4. It is possible to cure and live a long healthy life if ovarian cancer detection occurs on time and correct follow up and care is taken by the patients who have undergone this cancer treatment.